Ubuntu Overview
Ubuntu Overview
Ubuntu is an open-source operating system. The word Ubuntu has a philosophical meaning in Zulu, focusing on devotion and relationships with others. It was released in 2004 as a derivative distribution of Debian GNU/Linux.
Ubuntu is developed by a community with support from Canonical in the UK. New versions are released regularly every six months with recent technologies.
Ubuntu can be used not only on desktops and netbooks but also on servers. It provides regular releases with at least nine months of free security updates and LTS releases with five years of support. Both are free to use.
Representative derivatives include Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu for Android, and Ubuntu Studio.
Main Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Intuitive operation | A polished and simple interface makes it easy for beginners. |
| Ready to use | Ubuntu can be installed from a Live CD environment and used immediately after basic setup. |
| Security support | Firewall, antivirus, anti-phishing, and LTS security updates are available. |
| Rich functions | Browser, mail client, office suite, media tools, photo editing, calendar, and many add-on applications are available. |
| Easy installation and updates | Desktop versions provide a graphical installer and simple update process. |
| Compatibility | Provides plugins and office tools compatible with common devices and Microsoft Office documents. |
| Multilingual support | Available in more than 40 languages. |
| Regular releases | A version upgrade is released every six months. |
| Cost effective | No license fee is required. |
Main Functions
Ubuntu includes Firefox for web browsing, LibreOffice for office work, Thunderbird for email, desktop integration for web apps, online search, photo tools such as Shotwell, and video editing tools such as PiTiVi.
Operating Environment
Recommended minimum requirements for Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 include a 2 GHz dual-core processor, 4 GB RAM, 25 GB free disk space, a graphics card, and a 1024x768 monitor. Ubuntu Server CLI can run with lower requirements.
License
Ubuntu is made up of thousands of programs, each released under its own license. Ubuntu follows a license policy based on free software principles, and its repositories are divided into main, restricted, universe, and multiverse.